Sky Sox Score Four in the Ninth for Fifth Walk-Off Win

By Sky Sox Media Relations&nbsp|&nbsp

Posted: Mon 10:58 PM, May 13, 2013&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Mon 11:14 PM, May 13, 2013

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Colorado Springs Sky Sox (21-14) scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to upend the Omaha Storm Chasers (19-16) , 7-6, at Security Service Field. Third baseman Ryan Wheeler scored the winning run on a Greg Golson force out attempt when catcher Adam Moore stepped off the plate.

In the bottom of the first inning Corey Dickerson led off the game with his seventh extra-base hit in his last five games and has now hit safely in 11 straight games. He then scored the first run of the game when Ryan Wheeler grounded out to Johnny Giavotella. That run was the team’s 34th first inning run of the year and they are now undefeated (7-0) at home when they score the first run of the game.

Newly acquired starting pitcher Drew Carpenter, pitching on short rest, shut out the Storm Chasers for five innings and finished the day only allowing three hits and striking out three batters in his first ever start with the team.

In the bottom of the fifth inning reliever Brian Sanches issued a walk to Tommy Manzella to start off the inning. DJ LeMahieu and Wheeler then hit back-to-back singles to drive in Manzella. After a double steal, Matt McBride hit a sacrifice fly to give the Sky Sox the 3-0 lead.

The Storm Chasers began to battle back in the sixth when they scored two runs, including a solo shot by Christian Colon. An inning later Omaha took the lead on a sacrifice fly by Colon and added one more on a RBI double by Giavotella. Cory Riordan (W, 3-0) relieved Rob Scahill in the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth before allowing a RBI single to Giavotella in the top of ninth.

Down by three entering the bottom of the ninth, Charlie Culberson ignited hope with a leadoff single. The next batter, Tommy Manzella, struck out, but Dickerson hit a single to put runners on first and second. LeMahieu then hit a two-run double to cut their deficit to one. Left-handed reliever Everett Teaford entered the game and immediately surrendered a RBI double to Wheeler which tied the game up at six. Teaford then loaded the bases by intentionally walking McBride and walking Ben Paulsen. With an 0-2 count, Greg Golson hit a grounder to third base which was fielded by Anthony Seratelli who threw home to catcher Adam Moore. The throw beat Wheeler to the plate, but it was ruled that Moore stepped of the plate and Wheeler was called safe. The 7-6 win is the Sky Sox’ fifth walk-off win of the year. So far this season half of the team’s wins at home have come on walk-offs.

Tomorrow the Sox will aim to take their fifth series of the year when righty Chris Volstad (1-0, 2.87) faces off against fellow right-hander Nate Adcock (2-2, 6.23) at 6:35pm a $2 Tuesday.

Sky Sox Notes: This is the first time Colorado Springs have scored four or more runs in the bottom of the ninth and come back to win since July 1st, 2010 versus Salt Lake… Ryan Wheeler tied his season high with three RBIs and has now had four games of three RBIs.

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